Choo Mi-ae Criticizes Prosecution, Asking if Kim Kun-hee, Who Dreams of Being 'National Mother,' Is a Status Launderer

Suspicion of Large Corporation Sponsorship in Kim Gun-hee Exhibition, Some Charges Dropped

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae strongly criticized the prosecution for partially dismissing charges related to the 'large corporation sponsorship' allegations against the exhibition planning company operated by Kim Gun-hee, wife of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate.

On the afternoon of the 6th, former Minister Chu posted on her Facebook, "Is the prosecution a whitewasher for Kim Gun-hee, known as Yoon Seok-yeol's wife who dreams of becoming the nation's first lady?" She criticized, "You have been neglecting the investigation since October last year and now, with the statute of limitations approaching, you are deciding not to prosecute?"

On the same day, former Minister Chu also said, "The 'suit-wearing prosecutors' who protected Yoon Seok-yeol mock those who ask, 'What is the national blueprint?'" "If you don't feel the reality of prosecutorial dictatorship, do you have to experience it to understand? It will be too late when you regret it."

Earlier that day, the Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jo Ju-yeon) dismissed charges related to the exhibition portion of the 'Kobana Contents' case, which was reported by Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, and the civic group Judicial Justice Citizens' Action, due to the statute of limitations nearing.

The dismissed case involved the exhibition "Le Corbusier, the Father of Modern Architecture," held at the Seoul Arts Center from December 2016 to March the following year, sponsored by 23 companies including Deutsche Motors.

Regarding this, Park Chan-dae, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party's presidential campaign committee, pointed out, "The timing is astonishing. While investigations into other cases are delayed, the prosecution timed the dismissal of charges against Kim Gun-hee to coincide with the launch of Yoon Seok-yeol's campaign committee."

He continued, "On the day the campaign committee was launched, the prosecution gave Yoon Seok-yeol a gift of non-prosecution for Kim Gun-hee. However, the public will lament that 'only the family of the chief prosecutor is innocent.'" He warned, "The prosecution should keep in mind that the public is closely watching all investigations related to Yoon Seok-yeol and his spouse Kim Gun-hee."